Page 90 of Stolen Voices

“Showing you why you need to rest. Then maybe you can stop fighting with me over every little thing.” Blocking the mirror, I grip the hem of my shirt she is wearing. “May I?”

Curious, she nods, letting me drag the material up. With one hand, I hold it up, while the other travels down and rests at the waistband. I arch a brow at her, waiting for her to let me pull the pants down. She nods, giving me the green light to slide the waistband over the perfect globes of her ass.

“Look,” I demand, stepping aside. Her eyes slide toward the mirror in front of her. I know the moment understanding settles over her. The color blanches from her face, and her hands cover her mouth in shock. “Do you see now?”

She nods as a single tear dribbles down her cheek. Her eyes take in the swelling and the swirl of blue, purple, green, and yellow covering her lower back and butt cheeks. The horrible images of her tarnished backside will haunt me for the rest of my life.

Every organ in my torso twinges as a heavyweight settles between my ribs. The painful mix of anger, fear, regret, and misery makes me feel sick to my stomach as I watch every emotion flit across her face.

This is why, for as much as I want Callie, I won’t go there until she’s healed.

“I didn’t realize,” she says.

I drop the shirt and delicately pull the pants up, covering the bruises. “I know. I didn’t want to show you, but you were being so damn stubborn.”

She huffs a sad laugh. “I’m sorry for being a brat.”

“No need to apologize.” A lock of her hair falls forward over her eyes. I reach out to grip the silky strands between my fingers and push it back behind her ear. “I’m going to take care of you, but you have to trust me.”

“Okay.” She places her hand on my still-naked chest. Her touch is a match to the tinder box below the surface of my skin, lighting me up like a bonfire covered in gasoline.

Callie flinches at the burn but doesn’t remove her hand as she experiences the same heat shooting through her. Her breaths come out in small pants, making me worry she’s going to pass out.

She licks her lips while dropping her hand from my chest. “I think I’m ready for that ibuprofen and rest now.”

“I couldn’t agree more.” With all the care in the world, I gingerly sweep her lithe body into my arms and carry her to the bedroom. I place her injured body onto the bed, and hand her the painkillers and a glass of water I placed on the side table while she was in the shower.

She swallows the pills down and lies back with a wince as I pull the blanket over her body, tucking her in. Her hair is a halo splattered across the pillow as she stares up at me.

After experiencing a horrific accident, she should look more broken and vulnerable. Instead, when I look at her, all I see is strength.

“Get some rest, Cal. We can talk in the morning.”

“Wait.”

My hand freezes on the lamp beside the bed. “What’s wrong?” She needs rest, but I’m selfishly stalling. I don’t want the night to be over. The idea of letting her out of my sight doesn’t sit right with me.

“Um… Nothing, it’s just... This is a new place.” Callie nervously nibbles her lips again.

“And? You can tell me.” Placing my hand on her thigh, I run my hand back and forth in assurance.

“I-I’m scared to sleep alone,” she stutters with a deep sigh.

My inner beast and I perk up, pausing to allow her time to gather her thoughts.

Ask me to stay, Callie.It’s just a whisper in my head that silently screams for her to ask me. I know that makes no sense, but that’s typical when I’m around this woman. She has the ability to make me lose all common sense.

“Will you stay with me?” she asks under her breath, looking away.

Warmth swells in my chest and spreads to my extremities. My presence brings her security. Me. The guy who’s been a total jackass to her on more occasions than I want to admit, and yet she still wants me.

“Yes, I’ll stay with you.”

“Really?” She looks up at me in shock.

Princess, you can ask for anything your heart desires, and I’ll give it to you on a silver platter.

I bite back the thought and answer, “Really. I can’t imagine being anywhere else.”